Our bus loops us through green pastures, lazy hills, and riverbeds. We reach Dublin that afternoon and catch the metro to our quiet homestay in Blackrock.

The next morning, full of oatmeal, we head back to Dublin. Our goal: beer.

Temple Bar glowing under an early sun.

In no time we find Dame Lane and pub central. The ancient streets reek of last night’s extravagances. We pass Temple Bar, which looks like a TGI Friday’s version of Ireland. But by 11:51am, we walk into Stag’s Head.

Pretty bustling for a morning.

Ancient wood paneling surrounds us. The staff and patrons all creek with hangovers. But they oblige us with Guinness and Kilkenny‘s Irish Cream Ale at four euro fifty a peace.

Black dressed.

At home and served pretty cold, the black stuff tastes of keen, bright apple, a creamy honied mead, with a hint of charcoal. Good morning Guinness.

It is only 9 AM here, but you making me thirsty… I have seen a number of specialty wine stores in European cities, and quite a few of them are just the tourist traps… I honestly prefer to hunt for the bargains in their local supermarkets…